The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will soon be presented with a recommendation on projects to be funded by Measure Z, the county-wide half-cent sales tax passed by voters in November 2014. The Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Measure Z Expenditures this week held its seventh meeting, in which it took public input and evaluated proposals that sought a share of these funds. The committee has finalized its recommendations, which will be presented to the board on June 2 as part of the annual budget process.
The committee is recommending roughly $8.9 million in funding for FY 2015-16, including $3.5 million for the Sheriff’s Office to hire 30 positions, and more than $2.6 million to the Humboldt County Fire Chief’s Association for fire equipment. Other projects being recommended for funding include more than $1.5 million to the District Attorney to hire 11 positions; over $600,000 to the Probation Department to hire six positions; and $400,000 to the Eureka Police Department for positions and services.
A total of 46 applications were submitted for funding. The committee sorted these applications into three categories: “Must have,” “need to have,” and “nice to have.” The committee further developed two lists for projects to be funded. The primary list below includes projects the committee recommends be funded first, and is comprised primarily of “must have” projects. The secondary list includes projects that should be considered during the mid-year budget review. If applicants cannot or do not expend their funds during FY 2015-16, the committee is recommending that projects on the secondary list be considered.
Primary List Organization
(Alphabetical) | Funding
Project | Recommended
Allocations |
| Area 1 Agency on Aging | Elder Ombudsman | $10,452 |
| District Attorney | Frozen Positions | $1,507,934 |
| Eureka Police Department | Homelessness/MIST | $400,000 |
| Fire Chief's Association | Equipment, Dispatch, Planning | $2,629,100 |
| *Hoopa Valley Tribal Council | Willow Creek Ambulance | $267,543 |
| Probation Department | Probation Officers | $607,047 |
| Sheriff's Office | 30 Frozen Positions | $3,500,000 |
| Total Recommended Funding |
| $8,922,076 |
Secondary List
Organization
| Funding
Project | Recommended
Allocations |
**Department of Health & Human Services -
Children & Family Services | Child Welfare Workers | $1,003,139 |
| North Coast Substance Abuse Council | Rehab Services | $113,150 |
| Public Defender | Social Worker/IT Technician | $190,000 |
| Public Works | Improve Road Surfaces | $630,000 |
*HVT Ambulance one time funding for FY 15-16 only, scope of project must include the formation of a benefit assessment district
**This is in the must category and should be considered first if any excess funds
To see the full breakdown of proposals, view item C3 of the April 30 agenda. To view the applications in full, view item C4 of the March 25 agenda.